Cliff Notes

Here's an idea: The next time the Detroit Lions play, they should be able to decide exactly where they would like the ball placed on the field at the start of every first down. "Ref, could you please place the ball on their one yard line?" That would be the dream of every team, to decide where the ball is. (In the case of the Lions, they would still lose).

John Boehner, with his "Igor" Eric Cantor at his side, in the basement of the Capitol the other day, declared essentially that the ball was now in the court of the President and the Congressional Democrats before wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and sending them home for the holidays. Really John? Who told you and your impotent cronies get to decide where the ball is placed? Nice try, sir, but no, the ball is still now more than ever in your court. To send everyone home in the midst of all this was not only misguided but irresponsible. And Mr. Boehner you know it.

John Boehner realizes that he does not have the upper hand here and he seems to be sincerely willing to strike a deal. He knows how to politic. He gets how it works. But his beloved GOP has not caught on yet. He gave up on his power plan A and went to a compromising Plan B. This plan required a tax increase for zillionaires but in exchange it demanded a $3.00 decrease in spending for every new dollar of revenue. Did the President or the Democrats have a chance to shoot this one down? No. Boehner could not even muster enough votes among Republicans to pass Plan B. We should have known. Back when raising the debt ceiling talks were going on a plan was offered to cut $10 in spending for every dollar of increased revenue, and the Repubs turned their noses up at it, costing the USA an A-1 credit rating. Once again, the legitimate Republican party is being held hostage by the Tea Baggers who are scared to death to be viewed as having helped to raise taxes.

And can I just say a word about taxes for a minute? Folks, it costs money to live in the greatest country on Earth. Why do the ultimate welfare moms.... aka Republicans.... want to have the best of everything and not want to pay for it?

But I digress. The point is, Boehner and the others have to be willing to do more, and yes give up some of their Norquist ideology to keep this mess from happening. Because ultimately they are going to lose this one anyway. Unless they figure out a way of graceful concession, they could come out looking like villians. They are also very mindful of the fact the the President was re-elected by some fairly substantial numbers.

Here, Republican friends, is another thing to consider. Let's say we go over this "cliff". On January 2nd the President enters a bill to give the middle class the tax break he wants right now, and offers no spending cuts. Sure Boehner and the boys could stop it in the House, but then what? Vote against lowering taxes? How will that play to the voters?

The Republicans have a chance to avoid all that. They should make a deal now. They should take the $3 in spending cuts, and be able to walk away from the table with something they can brag to their constituencies about.

Tick-tock Repubs. The ball is very much in your court.